Sky Sports of UK and Supersport of South Africa are among those who have shown interest in the media rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and this is highly anticipated in world cricket too.
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Sky Sports of UK and Supersport of South Africa are among those who have shown interest in the media rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and this is highly anticipated in world cricket too. Meanwhile, sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have also shared that the UK and South African broadcast stations that purchased the Invitation To Tender (ITT) document are expected to bid for the Bouquet D – world rights, of the Indian Premier League.
However, Star India Pvt Ltd, Viacom 18 Media Private Limited, Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited, Amazon Seller Services Pvt Ltd, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, Sporta Technologies Pvt Ltd (Dream 11), Supersport International Pty Ltd and Sky UK Ltd are some of the confirmed parties who have taken the ITT documents, the cost Rs 25 lakh which is also non-refundable. Meanwhile, it will be available for purchase till May 10 as well.
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However, it is expected that NetFlix, Facebook, Apple and AirTel too are in the race, but no confirmation has come on this yet. Meanwhile, the BCCI officials are confident that the price of the rights will be high as the BCCI, as first reported by Cricbuzz, has fixed a price of Rs 32,890 crore which will go for sale on June 12 as well.
On the other hand, the BCCI has closed the deadline for clarifications on April 30 and according to the Cricbuzz report, each party has asked more than 100 questions to the board authorities as well. However, the ITT has not revealed about the final number of games for a season whereas the board has said that it will charge the broadcasters on a pro-rata basis if the games will increase later on.
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With Uday Shankar choosing 39 per cent shares in Viacom 18, the IPL rights may have seen bigger too. Shankar, who decided to buy the rights five years ago for Rs 16347 crore in 2017, is likely to acquire the rights for Viacom 18 again, which has recently launched a sports channel named Sports 18 as well.
On the other hand, Mukesh Ambani holds the majority share in Viacom 18 and their partnership for the television industry in India will change the game entirely, mainly in the sports broadcasting market as well. Shankar, who was a former head of Disney Star in India, along with former boss James Murdoch, bought a 39 per cent share in Viacom 18 as well, a joint venture has taken place between Reliance Industries Ltd and US-based Viacom CBS.
